Walt Disney World Resort has been quietly rolling out solar-powered trash cans across EPCOT since May, but the latest installation has guests doing a double-take.
A Solar-Powered Can With No Sun in Sight
WDWNT reported on July 8 that a trash can matching the design of EPCOT's new solar-powered waste receptacles had been found inside the Mexico World Showcase Pavilion, tucked near merchandise kiosks and the entrance to Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. It's the same brown color, the same shape, and the same foot pedal design as the outdoor models that have been appearing around the World Showcase — with one notable difference.
There are no solar panels on top.
That makes sense, given that the can is inside a building where sunlight cannot reach the panels that are supposed to power the internal compactor. Walt Disney World Resort appears to have recognized this reality and simply removed the panels before installing the indoor version, but the result is a trash can that carries all the visual identity of a solar-powered receptacle while being entirely unable to function as one.
To be fair, the foot-pedal mechanism that makes the new cans more hygienic for guests to use without touching the lid is still present and functional indoors. So guests in the Mexico World Showcase Pavilion will benefit from at least part of the upgrade — just not the solar-charging part.
Also on July 8
The same day the indoor solar can surfaced, the patriotic versions of the receptacles that had been stationed in the American Adventure World Showcase Pavilion for the Fourth of July weekend were removed.
Whether they were pulled to have the American flag decals stripped following the holiday, sent in for maintenance, or removed for an entirely different reason hasn't been addressed by Walt Disney World Resort.
The Ongoing Debate
The new solar-powered trash can rollout hasn't been universally celebrated. A vocal group of EPCOT regulars has pushed back on the upgrade because the flat tops of the older receptacles served as impromptu dining tables during the park's crowded festival seasons — something the new design doesn't allow.
Walt Disney World Resort has not commented on any aspect of the installation.
Have you seen any of the new solar trash cans at Walt Disney World Resort? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments!
